Rapid fire-signal



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. F. GAYNOR.

RAPIDEIRE SIGNAL.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I (No Model.)

' 'I'. F. GAYNOR.

vRAPID FIRE SIGNAL.

. No. 352,645. Patented Nov. 16, 18,86,

THOMASF. GAYNOR, OFLEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

sapin Fme=s|cNAL- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.352,645, dated November 16,1886..

Application lcd Apiil 3, 1556.

Serial No. 197,689. (No model.)

a system of automatic tire-alarms.

The following are some of the principal objects of this invention:

First, to enable any person who may discovera re to give al: alarm withthe least possible delay to the tire department, or other` officials towhom such information may be necessary, Without the delay incident toprocuring a key from a key-holder or giving notice to a key-holder, asis the case when firealarln boxes are used which require to be unlockedbefore the signal mechanism can-be operated; second, to enable theoilicials to know when a signal is about to be sent, even before it isgiven, that the personl giving such signal may be detained at the boxuntil the re department reach the box andare informed of the exactlocation ofthe lire; third, to detect any person who may give a false ialarm of iire; fourth, to enable any person to be at liberty to go tothe next signal-box and signal in case the alarm is not received at the-central station; lifth, to automatically detain the person giving analarm in the signal station if his signal has been received; sixth, to

' leave it tothe discretion of the tire department whether suoli personwill be looked in the station or not; seventh, it give a person thusdetained the means of calling for his liberation as soon as possible;eighth, to give policemen or authorized persons the means of preventingtheir being locked in such stations;

j ninth, to give' such policemen or authorized persons the means ofusing the station for independent signal purposes without giving anypreliminary signals to the central ot'tice; tenth, to enable suchauthorized persons to liberate any personwithin thestation; eleventh,towarn the central-office attendantwhen intrudershavingnobusinessinthestation enterit,evenifthey do not use themechanism, ot'their presence, and if the attendant so chooses he canlock the offending person in the station until detected in open circuit.

and released; twelfth, to provide for cities a combinationtelegraph-station that can be used for either or both fire or policepurposes, as may be desired, and for all other uses, as will be foundconvenient with the apparatus hereinafter described, all ot Which willbe fully set forth in the description ot' the accompanying drawings,making a partof this specification, in whicl1- Figure l is acentralvertical section of a' booth or patrol-box, showing the door-lock1ngniechanisxuin place. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the signal-box inposition. Fig. 3 is a section on linea: x, Figs. l and 2. Fig. 4 is aplan view ot' the electrical door-lock With one ot' the plates removed.Fig, 5 is a detail view of the signal mechanism, with a diagram showingits circuit connection with the main office, adapted l'or closedcircuit. Fig. 6 is a detail view and a diagram ot' thecircuit-connection with the main oilice adapted to work A represents abooth or compartment kin which the signal mechanism is placed.` It 1sprovided with a door which must be closedin order to operate the signalmechanism. I have shown this booth ot' the form and construction ot anordina-ry policcmans box, but with the door opening into it; but this ismere convenience for illustrating the signal apparatus to be used insaid patrol-box.

B represents the central office where the si gnais are received from thestations, where the' mounted and slides -upon the top of the sig 'cnal-box b. This slide is provided with an orilice, e, and so connectedto the door by the rod a that when the door is shut the orice e isvertically opposite an opening made in the. top 'of the signal-box, sothat a person can insert his finger through said orifice and reach thefloor by the person leaving the box.

vthe button d (shown in Figs. 5 and 6) and trip the firealarm mechanismlocated in said box to send in signals to the main oiice.

1 represents a hinged or liexible Hoor, which is depressed by the weightof a person entering the box to close a circuit, and thereby send analarm to the main office. To accomplish this automatic sending in ofanalarm by the weight of a person in the booth, I have provided thcfollowing instrumentalities:

2 represents a connectingrod attached to the yielding iioor 1 at oneend, and at the other to a sliding plate, 3.

4 represents a retractile spring for pulling up the rod when the weightis removed from 5 is a retractile spring for bringing the door 1 backinto its normal position. In Fig. 5 I have shown the sliding plate 3 asadapted to operate a signal, D, at the main office.

6 represents the circuit-wheel of an automatic signal apparatus placedwithin the box bin the usual manner; 7, a detent-arm, and 8 atripping-lever, which are preferably con-A structed as described in mysaid former ent. When the rod d is pushed down by the button, the detent8 is depressed, setting the arm 7 in motion for sending in an automaticalarm.

9 represents the stem of the sliding plate 3, extending through thepartition 10, which is made to serve as a guide for said stem 9,whichterminates directly under the lever 8, so that it cannot be depresseduntil the iioor 1 descends,carrying slide 3 and stem 9 down a sufcientdistance to allow the button to move and set the detent-arm 7 free. Bythis means an alarm cannot be sent in unless the person is in the boxand the floor depressed by his Weight.

1-1 represents a gong; 12, a magnet connected in circuit with the signalapparatus, wherebya person is apprised of the working of the circuit atthe time of the sending of the alarm.

13 represents a circuit-breaking key, also in the signal-box, forallowing independent signals to be sent over the same line as thetirealarm or automatic'signal.

14 represents a spring terminal pivoted tov the sides of the box, oneend of which is in side contact with the plate 3.

15 represents an opposite polar terminal, which has a similar sameplate.

16 represents a circuit-closing plate, which is insulated from butattached tothe sliding plate 3. When the plate 3 is pulled down by theweight on floor l, the terminal 14 passes opposite the notch 17 andtemporarily breaks the circuit and sends in the first alarm to thecentral station. When the plate 3is retracted, the circuit is closedagain, the spring 14 yielding to pass over the notch into the relationshown in Fig. 5.

18 represents a pivoted lever carrying lugs 19' and 20, which areprovided for the purpatspring-connection to the and bring the parts poseof locking the plate the lever 18 projects forward,forming a finger, 21,against which the key 22 strikes and turns,

moving the lever upon its pivot and driving,

say, the lug 19 into the notch 23. As soon as the key isturned back theretractile spring 25 forces the len-.x13 sack tion shown in Fig. 5. Y

It is sometimes desired to hold theplate 3 in its depressed condition tomaintain a closed circuit, so as toprevent more than one signal frombeing sent in until it is released. For this purpose I provide the notch24-,into which into the normal posithe lu g 2O automatically engageswhen the plate j 3 is depressed. 'A key releases it in the same way asbefore explained for releasingA the' lug 19, when the plate 3 will beretracted by the spring 4. Thus by means of the lever 18 I am enabled toautomatically lock the plate 3, to prevent more than sent in until anauthorized person has set the same in position for operation. Iam' alsoenabled to lock the plate 3 up to prevent, preliminary calls from goingin when an authorized person is working in or about tlie one signal frombeing box. Forthis purpose the key-hole 22 is made so that outsideboot-h. By Ameans a circuit may be estabthrough both easings of thecall-box, this lever 18 can be worked from the as well as the inside ofthe of the lever 13, also,

lished without the moving `of the plate 3, by'

means of the key throwing the tail of the lever in contact with thespring terminals 14 and 15. This portion of the lever is shown IOOinsulated from metallic contact withthe main portion of the lever. l

In order to connect the lock electrically with the signal-circuit, Ihave provided the followlowing instrumentalities:

26 represents Vone terminal, 27 another insulated terminal attached tothe base of the signal-box.

28 represents a circuit-closer which is insulated from and connected tothe sliding plate 3.

To these terminals I connect the wires leading to the'lock, which isconstructed as follows:

30 represents an electro-magnet secured to the base of the lock-plate. V

31 represents an armature, the free end of which serves as astop forengaging with the bolt 32, which is also pivoted lock-plate. serving a.-a detentto hold the bolt normally open, as shown in full lines in Figs.4 and 5. As soon as the armature 31 is attracted by the magnet the bolt32 is released,

and the spring 33, Fig. 4, draws it around into the horizontal positionshownby dotted lines, where it engages with the catch 35, which is heldnormally in position by the spring 34.

36 represents a key-hole,

into which a key is inserted for engaging with the catch 35, Iso as torelease the bolt 32 and allow it to be set inv position, as shown inFig. 4.

In order that the ground-connection, which is necessary for working thearmature 31, mayv to the base of the izo 'bebroken automatically bythelocking-bolt 32, so as not to interfere with the operation ot' the locksof either station, Ihave provided the following instrumentalities:

37 represents a rod sliding in ears 33, the bottom of which carries thecircuit-closer 39,

Lwhich'is automatically retracted by the spring 40. As the bolt 32 risesinto the horizontal position it engages with the knob or catch 41,

pendent signal devices may be connected into circuit for various policeand lire circuits, as may be desirable.

B represents the central station, in which is placed an automaticcircuit-closer for locking the booth-door, arranged as follows:

47 represents an automatic circuit-closing device. which consists of aratchet and a wind- ]ass driven bya weight or spring, 48, carrying `afinger, '49, which turns with the ratchetwheel, whichjs set in motion bythe release ot' the detent 52, which is operated by the magnet 53, so asto bring the terminal 49 in contact with the terminals 50. `and, 51sground G into connection with 'the batt-tn-y i'.

The automatic fire-alarm is preferably op. erated by a metallic circuit,which is represented in Fig. 5 as a closed circuit, which is as follows:By wire J, from the signal I) at the main ofce, through t-hecircnit-lncakcr 45, thence by wire J'to terminal l5 in the signalbox inFig. 5, thence th rough the circuit-closer 16, terminal 14,circuit-wheel 6,circuit-lneal cr K, wire Z, battery I. The breaking ofthis circuit, as shown in diagram, Fig. 5, is for sending in signals bythe operation ot' plate 3 and the circuit-breaker 6 and K, or by theoperation of circuit-breakers 45.

lt is desirable to have the electrical locking mechanism operatedindependent ot' this inctallie circuit, and for this purpose I establishtwo ground-connections, so that -by making a ground-circuit thelock maybe operated from the central oftiee, as follows:

G represents the ground at the main office; g, the circuit-closer, whichis connected by wire g to the battery I, .and thence by wire Z to magnetl2, wire L to magnet 30,` thence by wire M to polar terminal 26, whichis metallically connected to the polar terminal 27 by the descentofslide 3, bringing the circuit-connectors 28 in contact with saidterminals 26 27, thence by wire N to ground G. rIhis circuit works asfollows: As soon as the floor l is de- -bringing 'the `booth allergiving ,the alarm.

pressed, bringing-down slide 3 and establishing the circuit throughterminals 26 27, the metallic circuit is broken by carrying the springterminal 14 into thespaee 17, thereby sounding the alarm D at the mainoffice, so that the attendant at the main office is notified ot' thegrounding of the magnet in the lockbox by this sending in of the signal,and also oi' the presence of persons in the box, when by operating thecircuit closing key g he electri- 'lies the magnet 30, bringing down thearmature 31 and locking the door of the compartment in which this isplaced. It is sometimes desirable, however, to have this groundingaccomplished automatically by the sending in of the signal throught-heeircuit-breaker K. To accomplish this I have provided automaticground-closing mechanism 47 48 49 50 5l 52 53. When the circuit-breakingwheel 6 is started in mot-ion, as the circuit is broken, magnet- 53 isoperated andthe detent 52 is released by the breaking ofthe circuit,when the spring 54 draws back the detent and the weight moves theratchet-wheel 47 one step. The closin nr ofthe circuit by the tooth ofthe wheel 6 retracts the detent 52. As soon as thecircuit is brokenagain the ratchet 47 moves one step forward, and this is repeated untilthe circuitplate 49 is brought into metallic Contact with the posts 505i, when the ground is established with the lock-box and the magnet 30is instantly operated,releasing the bolt 32 and locking the door ihe'circuit device at the central station may be set so as to require anydesired number ot' steps to establish this ground-circuit.

55 reprrsents a stop for arresting the motion ol' the circuit-closer 49to hold the ground-connection. il desired.

.ln order to prevent automatic grounding of the magnet 30 inthe lock boxat the signalstation, the circuit-closer 49 is set a sufficientdistanceaway from the posts 50 51, so that IIC the preliminary signal sent in bythe depression ci' the i'loor 1 will not operate the lock. Thecircuit-closer is, however, set near enough to the posts 50 and 51, sothat the iirst or second closure or breaking of the contact ofthecircuit wheel with the contact` spring will quickly bring thecircuit-closer'in contact with the two posts 50 51, thus completing theground-circuit while `passing over the posts, thus operating thelocking-bolt through magnet 3() before the person has time to leave theThe contact of the circuit-closer 49 is made with posts 50 5l whilepassing over the posts during a minute interval ot' time, 'and is not apermanent contact, thus leaving nopermanentgrou11d-circuit IZG themetallic circuit, even it' an accidental ground-eonnection of theopposite pole existed anywhere in the circuit.

Fig. 6 illustrates my device adapted to the open-circuit system. In thissystem the lock and signaling mechanisms at the central ofce andsignal-station are the same as in Fig. 5,

but the circuit connections are changed as follows: The metallic circuitis normally open. 57 represents the circuit-closer insulated upon plate3.L It is provided with a side contactlng, which strikes a lug on theterminal 58 as the plate 3 is in the act of moving down, but passingbeyond said lug to break the circuit. This sends in a cautionarysignal,caused by the depression of the oorl. When plate 3 has been depressed,the lng on lever 18engages with notch 24, holding it down. It isreleased by a key., as described for the corresponding mechanism in Fig.5. Now, if when circuit, as

this plate 3 is depressed the alarm is sent in from the signal stationto the central office, and the operator there releases the lock-bolt 32,the ground for this circuit-connection, which is made throughcircuit-breaker 43 and magnet 30, is cut out by the rising of thelockbolt.

' To securea ground for independent signaling when the door of the boothis locked, I employ a swtch,lP, bringing in the ground-wire N', and thusestablishing an independent ci rcuit, which can be operated by thecircuitbreaking key independent of the automatic signal devices.

The metallic circuit in Fig. 6 is as follows: Through battery I tomagnet 53, thence to the magnet of the signal D, thence by wire J to key45, thence by wire J to the circuitwheel 6, thence by wire J to terminal58, thence by 57 when itis in contact therewith by wire Z to wire Ltocontact-spring K, thence through magnet 12 and by wire l to battery I. yThe ground of t-he circuit for locking the bolt 32 and for independentsignaling is as follows: Through the ground G at central oice, by key g,through magnet 53, battery I, wire l, magnet 12 in the signal-box;thence by wire L to magnet 30, and thence by wire M toterminal 26,connecting-plate 28, terminal 27, and wire N to ground G.

When it is desired to send in independent signals by key 45 at theindependent station, said key, when operated, grounds Wire' J throughthe wire J. Thus key 45, say, at the police station, may be operated togive signals through magnet 12 withouuaii'ecting the circuit for sendingin automatic signals or the tripping devices of the lock-circuit. Thus Iam enabled to maintain two independent circuits in connection with thecentral and signaling ofces, one of which I prefer should be agronndcircuit which saves the expense of an additional wire; but I donot wish to limit my claims to a metallic and a ground either kind maybe employed, if desired.

The operation of my device is as follows: When a person wishes to givean alarm of re, he goes into the booth and closes the door, which isheld normally closed by a sp ring. The weight of the person entering thebooth de` presses the floor and moves plate 3 to form acircuit-connection, and allows thetripping-detent 7 to be operated bythe button d. The

ground-circuit.

depressing of the door and setting of plate 3 has sent a cautionarysignal to the-central station, giving one ring to the bell D, so thatthe operator at that station-is notified that an alarm is about to besent in, the booth.

or that a person is in The automatic alarm through the circn'itbreakingwheel 6 is sent in .by depress-` ing the button d, the detent 8allowing. the

arm 7 to 'be revolved in the ordinary manner common in fire-signals,which alarm is indicated by the bell D at the central oice. depressingof plate 3-brings the circuit-con` necting plate 28 in-contact with theterminals 26 27, making the circuit-connections, which The are operatedby battery I, in two ways, either by depressing the key q at the centraloffice and through the or through the magnet 53 of the central stationoperating the armature 31 and the lock. lock-bolt only at the centralstation is turned so as to cut When it is desired to operate this outmagnet 53 andthe automatic ground-circuit closer operated thereby. If,however,"ity

releasing- `l'iy"the key 45, the switch R4 ground atthe signal-station,.v

is desired to have the lock-bolt 32`worked automatically by the sendingin of the automatic fire-signal, the switch R is opened, when thecurrent will pass through magnet l53 and operate the detentarmature 52and move 'the ratchet-wheel 47 and the circuit-connector 49 forward intoContact with the terminals 50 51, i

thereby automatically establishing the groundcircuit and operating thearmature 3l of the lock at the signal station.

When a policeman or authorized person desires to enter the booth orsignal-station for independent signaling', he may` by means ofa key movelever 18 and lock the connectingplate 3 up,

plate. In this position he may sendin independent signals'from thecircuit-breaker 13; but when the circuitis thus established or brokenthe automatic signal will not work, as

and then his weight upon the 'station-floor will not aifect the movementof said` ICO the holding of plate 3 up prevents the detent 7 from beingdropped to start the circuitbreaking wheel 6 in motion.

It will be noticed, also, 3 is held normally in t-he position shown inthat so long as plate' Figs. 5 and 6 there is no ground establishedthrough the lock-magnet 30; hence the lock- .bolt cannot beautomatically tripped or setfree. y I have shown and described thecircuit closing and breaking mechanism by the term plate 3, the functionof whichis to open and close the circuits vby connecting anddisconnecting the circuit-terminals, which are shown as worked in aground-circuit; but the use of any additional wireand second metalliccircuit for working the magemployinga A net in the lock would be theequivalent of the So, also,

which would connect or any moving circuit." making and breaking devicein lieuof plate3` disconnect said cirt 352,645 A l f5 side of the booth,adapted to be sounded by the person inside to call assistance in case ofthe neglect of the department to release/the -person locked therein. jmThe bolt of the lock'is turned by a handle of any desired form ofconstruction.

I claim.-

1. In a signaling-circuit comprising a central station and a booth orsignal-station connected in electric circuit, said booth being providedwith a door anda locking mechanism therefor, the combinatiomwith saidlockingmechanism having a bolt adapted to be electrically tripped andlocked, oi a circuitcontroller located at the central station foroperating said bolt, substantially as described.

2. Ina signaling-circuit comprising a cen-- tral station having anelectric circuit connected with the signal mechanism in a booth orsignaling-station provided with a door and a lock, theI combination,with said lock, the lbolt of which is electrically tripped and locked,of an armature, a magnet, and a circuit mal:- ing or breaking mechanismat the central oflce, substantially as specified.

3; In combination with the door of asignalbooth, a lock having a bolt,held b ftripping mechanismv and electrically connected with a signalingapparatus in said booth', which is in turn connected in circuit with acentral station having both a grou ndand a metallic circuit, theconnections 'of the former being established at the central station bythe operation of the connecting-plate 3, substantially as specified.

4. Ina booth having adoor, a signal apparatus comprising a push-button,a trip meehanism, and an automatic signal device inclosed in a box andprovided with an aperture cxposing the push-button lfor sending signalsby releasing the trip mechanism ofthe signal-box, which aperture iscovered by mechanism connected to the door, whereby such aperture isexposed only when the dooris closed, substantially as specified.

5. In a booth having a door, a signal apparatus comprising a push-buttonand an automatic signal deviceinclosed lin a box and provided With atripping device which isucov'ered by mechanism connectedto and yoperatedby the booth-door, whereby' said tripping mechanism is exposed foroperation only when the door is closed, substantially as spcciiied.

' 6. In combination with the automatic signal device'located in a box,b, the tripping mechanism held from operation by the sliding plate 3,which ismoved to establish circuit-connections for sending alarms, thefoot-board 1, and

' the rod'2, connected with said plate, substantially asspeciiied.

7 .'A'signal device electrically connected with two independent circuitsfor automatic alarms and independent signaling, respectively, the

' ground of one circuit b'ing established byterminals which are cut inand out' by sliding plate 3, electrically connected to the signalingdevice and inclosed in a box, b, at a signalstation7 substantially asspecified.

8. In combination with the automatic signal device located in box b, thesliding plate 3,

having ground and'circuit terminals for estab- 1 lishing a circuit bythe moving plate 3, 'and a push-button for tripping of the automaticsignal device for sendingin alarms, substantially as specified.

9. In combination with a signal-booth. having a door provided with alock, the automatic signal devices located in a box in said booth,theconnecting-plate 3, having ground-connecting terminals connected. incircuit with the magnet and bolt-tripping mechanism of the lock, andground-connections through said lock-magnet for providing a circuit fortripping the bolt independent of t-he signal-circuit, substantially asspecified.

10. In combination With the automatic signal devices located in a box,the connectingplate 3, having ground-connecting terminals connected incircuit With the magnet andbolttripping mechanism of the lock in saidbox, and ground-connections through said lockmagnet to ground at acertain station for providing a circuit for tripping the boltindependent ot' the signal-circuit, and anautomatic ground cut-outoperated by thebolt after it is tripped, whereby the ground-circuit maybe established at another station for similar signals and operations,substantially as speciiied.

1l. In combination with the booth-door of a signal-station, a lock thebolt of which is automatically tripped by a magnet having oneground-connection at the booth and the other ground at the centralstation, which are automatically connected in circuit by plate 3 of thesignal device, substantially as spcciticd.

12. In combination with the lool; e, a magnet connected in circuit withthe automatic ground-closer and terminals located at the centralol'iicc, said magnet controlling abolt-tripping armature and connectedin and operated by the automatic signalcircuit, substantially asspecified.

13. In combination with the automatic signal located in a booth andexposed only when the door is closed, a lock and magnet, a bolt` trip'for locking the booth-door, and an .automatic ground-closing terminallocated in the central ofiice and operated by the automatic signaldevice in said booth, substantially as specified.

14. In combination with the circuit making and breaking plate 3 of thesignal device, the yieldingioor 1 of the booth connected to said plate,whereby the circuit-connections are ICO IIO

mad-e for signaling and locking the door bythe` Weight of a person onthe iioor l of the booth, substantially as specified.

15. In combination with the sliding circuitclosing plate 3, located inthe box b, having a circuit-connection with the automatic signaldevices, the lock-bolt 18, pivotedin said box e p I 352,645

3,' terminals 26 27, -`magnet 30, lock-bolt 32,

and switch P, for bringing in ground G when the ground-connectionthrough magnet 30` is cut out by the lock-bolt, substantially asspecified. v

18. In combination with the door of abooth and mechanism covering thetripping devices of a signal-box mechanism connected to and operated bysaid door, the movable plate 3, yielding floor 1, and the circuitclosing and breaking rod 2, connected to the yielding floor i and tosaid plate, whereby the signal-circuits 'Y are established by a. personentering the booth and closing the door, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoset my hand.

THOMAS F. GAYNOR. v Witnesses:

EDMUND K. STALL'S, M. E. MILLIKAN.

